Alright, so I decided to swap out the stock levers on my '22 CB650R. I knew I didn't want to go with some cheap Chinese knock-offs from Amazon—we've all heard the horror stories. But at the same time, my wallet wasn't ready for the super high-end stuff. Evotech seemed like the smart choice, a reputable brand that sits right in the middle. I pulled the trigger on their folding lever set, and honestly, I'm a bit torn.
Let's get one thing straight: the quality is there. Compared to the generic junk, it's a night-and-day difference. The machining is tidy, the black finish is clean, and they bolted right up to the bike with zero drama. The folding feature is a nice bit of insurance against a stupid garage tip-over, and they definitely feel more solid in hand than the originals. They look the part, too, adding a bit of an aggressive look to the front end.
But here's my beef with them: the price. We're talking £150 before tax. For that kind of money, I was expecting perfection, and they're not quite there. There's a tiny bit of wiggle in the levers that, for the price, just shouldn't exist. The adjuster for the brake lever works fine, but the "click" feels a bit mushy, not as crisp and satisfying as you'd find on the really premium brands.
It leaves you feeling like you paid for the brand name more than anything else. They're good, solid levers that are a definite step up from stock. No question about it. But they're not £150-great.
So, what's the verdict? If you find them on a good sale, go for it. You'll be happy. But at full price, I'd honestly hesitate. You're in this weird middle ground where you could save a bunch of cash on a slightly lesser-known brand that's probably just as good, or you could throw a few more quid in the pot and get a truly top-tier set. The Evotech levers are good, but for the price, they needed to be great.
